Lakers bounce back to beat Buckeyes, split again

Sunday

Nov 25, 2012 at 5:49 PMNov 25, 2012 at 5:50 PM

By Rob Roossports@sooeveningnews.com

SAULT STE. MARIE — Splits have been the popular result for Lake Superior State hockey this season.

In fact it has been the only result through the first seven series. The Lakers split another weekend, beating Ohio State 3-2 in a CCHA game Saturday night at Taffy Abel Arena. Ohio State won 4-1 Friday night. Laker junior goaltender Kevin Kapalka returned after missing the last eight games with a shoulder injury, and made 23 saves.

"Dock (Kevin Murdock) has been playing so well, we didn't need to rush Kaps back," Laker coach Jim Roque said. "We have four road games coming up and we'll use both of them. Those guys push each other and we never have to worry about either one of them. It's a nice problem to have."

Darek Angeli and Ryan Dzingel scored goals for the Buckeyes (5-4-3, 4-2-2-1), who had been riding a three-game winning streak.

McParland and Monardo both scored their fourth goals of the season as LSSU took a 2-0 lead in the first period. That prompted the Buckeyes to lift starting goalie Collin Olson in favor of Brady Hjelle.

Angeli got the Buckeyes within 2-1 with his first goal of the season 55 seconds into the second period.

Czuczman made it 3-1 Lakers with his second goal of the season at 3:10 of the third period on a shot from mid-ice just inside the OSU blue line. Zach Loesch drew an assist.

The Buckeyes got within 3-2 when Dzingel scored with 2:18 remaining, but could not get the equalizer.

Olson (8) and Hjelle (18) combined for 26 saves for the Buckeyes.

"I thought it was a good weekend," Roque said. "We're just trying to play good hockey and build for the right time of the year.

"It was fun to see the fourth line of (Andrew) Dommett, (Bryce) Schmitt and (Brett) Wall play well," Roque said. "That is going to be really important going to Notre Dame and Miami. They'll have last (line) change, so it's important to have all of our lines playing confident."

The Lakers visit Notre Dame Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.

Buckeyes 4, Lakers 1: Ohio State scored the first three goals of the game with sophomore forwards Matt Johnson, Ryan Dzingel and Max McCormick all finding the back of the net.

The lone goal for the Lakers came on the power play, as sophomore forward Buddy Robinson notched a goal. Eric Drapluk and Czuczman drew assists.